A license provided by the Copyright Law allowing anyone to record a song that has previously been commercially recorded with authorization, as long as they pay at least the royalties set by a Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel. The royalty rate for 2004 is 8.5¢ per song for each CD or tape made and distributed, or 1.65¢ for each minute of playing time, whichever is greater. The rates for subsequent years are listed under STATUTORY MECHANICAL ROYALTY RATE.